Volunteer

Internships and Volunteering
in Costa Rica

Whether it’s a one-off opportunity or as part of an internship or studies we offer incredible wildlife volunteer and internship opportunities for people interested in volunteer work or programs in Costa Rica.

If you are looking to volunteer during your trip to Central America, or must complete an internship as part of your studies, there is no better place than to volunteer in Costa Rica – one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, it is home to more than 500,000 species, nearly 4% of the total estimated species in the world!

 

There are many facilities offering wildlife volunteer and internship opportunities in Costa Rica, so it can be challenging to determine just where is the best place for you. Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center’s Costa Rica volunteer programs & internships will give you experience in a GFAS accredited non-profit organization, alongside incredible animals like jaguars, mountain lions, sloths, six species of monkeys, dozens of species of birds, and many more! 

The volunteer & internship programs can be shaped around your skills, interests, or internship requirements so you can benefit from the program as much as our animals benefit from your efforts! Our Costa Rica volunteer & internship programs have roles in veterinary care, animal care, marketing, and more – keep reading for more details.

Types of Costa Rican volunteer programs

Gain experience in wildlife medicine with an experience wildlife veterinarian in a state-of-the-art wildlife rehabilitation facility

Exceptional opportunity to learn about animal behavior and wildlife care – great work experience for your cv/resume!

Our Bosque Escondido internship gives you the unique opportunity to not only see, but to play an active part in what we call: The Road to Freedom.

Where are Rescate Wildlife's Costa Rican
volunteer and internship programs located?

You will be based at the Rescate, but there could be opportunities to visit our release sites in Nicoya and Golfito.

There are three main centers: a state-of the art Wildlife Rescue Center and veterinary clinic; an Endangered Wildlife Reproduction Center; and a Conservation Park consisting of 35 acres of lush botanical gardens with more than 125 species of animals, among them birds, mammals and reptiles that have been rescued and, due to health or behavioral reasons, cannot be fully rehabilitated for reintroduction into their natural habitat. The large enclosures are naturally designed to allow non-releasable wildlife a high quality of life with lots of natural enrichment.

In addition to releasing wildlife in the Conservation Park in La Garita de Alajuela, we also maintain two release sites: Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge, a 720 hectare dry tropical forest in the Nicoya Peninsula; and Golfito, a 37 hectare tropical rainforest in the province of Puntarenas. Our Costa Rica volunteers will have an opportunity to assist at the Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge.

Volunteer Accommodation
Volunteer's Common Room
Volunteer's Leisure Pool
Cinema
Restaurant
Sanctuary
Rehabilitation Center
Operation Room
Intensive Care
Breeding Center
Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge
Release Site
Golfito
Release Site
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Volunteer requirements

What is included?

What isn't included?

How to apply to become a volunteer

Things to do in Costa Rica
as a volunteer or intern

Costa Rica is a beautiful, rugged, heavily rain-forested country in the heart of Central America, with extensive coastlines on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides.

The capital city, San Jose, is steeped in culture and history and offers ample opportunity for sampling local cuisine and enjoying an active nightlife. Outside the city, Costa Rica is well known for its beaches, volcanoes, and protected jungle teeming with wildlife including coatis, monkeys, sloths and numerous bird species and encompassing roughly a quarter of the country. Brave the white-water rapids, zip-line across amazing ravines, visit an ancient volcano and take a dip in the hot springs, snorkel the reefs under dazzling blue waters or simply relax on a pristine white sand beach with an Agua de Pipa (fresh coconut water).

Whatever your interest, we can help you organize a holiday in Costa Rica before or after your volunteer Costa Rica stay.